A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Calliope's face was calm as she looked at Lisette. "So what?"

"What do you mean, ‘so what'?” Lisette had expected Calliope to snap, maybe get flustered or angry. Instead, Calliope just coolly shot the question right back at her, which only made Lisette's face tighten in frustration.

"So I'm pathetic, so what?" Calliope shrugged. "You think you're better off than me? Sure, Zelda dotes on you right now, but what does Zelda even have to give?"

Calliope's voice was steady, almost bored. "I'm nothing like you. Zelda doesn't like me, but I have the company. I have my husband's love. And I have money."

"The company? If I want it, I take it. If I want to keep it, I keep it. You? You get nothing."

"Oh, and Monty and the others are always trying to win me over. You know that, right? They don't love me, but they still try to get on my good side. In fact, I think they're planning to freeze you out for my sake."

Calliope gave a little shrug, as if this was all trivial. "Honestly? If anyone here is the pitiful one, it's you."

She ticked off the points on her fingers. "You're broke. Worse, you're in debt. Nobody at the office even likes you. Who besides Zelda would even bother with you?"

a mock sigh. "So before you waste time worrying about me being pathetic,

a slap. Lisette just stood there, her face turning a sickly shade

old Calliope would just put up with everything, never fighting back, barely saying a word. Lisette was used to being the one dishing out frustration, not

Calliope was biting

was Zelda's affection, and right now, that wasn't worth much. Zelda herself had nothing to give. What Lisette needed was Monty and

her, just like that. Lisette didn't even have a real

restroom, her face dark. She'd gone in hoping to rattle Calliope, but somehow ended up infuriating

hall, she muttered curses under her

into Valerian. He was carrying a little box from the bakery-a cupcake, by the

assumed the treat was for her, but Valerian just nodded hello and

off to? Is that cupcake for someone?" She

It's for Callie. She's been working

shrug. "You got work to get

she said, kicious. I